RE: SEAT Leon Cupra R ST: Driven

[bungle]

2smoke said:

as much as I like the Octavia estate, they're hard to find with DCC, so lose something dynamically.

I've not driven one with DCC, does it make much difference to the drive?

[2smoke]

bungle said:

2smoke said:

as much as I like the Octavia estate, they're hard to find with DCC, so lose something dynamically.

I've not driven one with DCC, does it make much difference to the drive?

Yes the body is a lot more tied down with DCC. That applies to all MQB cars. Finding them used is another matter though.

[2smoke]

Onehp said:

2smoke said:

I love the nimbleness of the GTI PP and as much as I like the Octavia estate, they're hard to find with DCC, so lose something dynamically.

Cupras are a bit lighter than GTI:s, so a ST estate manual fwd is about the same real weight (maybe +30kg at most) as a GTI PP (I can compare actually weighed registered weights where I live - depending on equipment), but with a free IS38/Golf R block upgrade (as they are similarly priced, too)...

Edited by Onehp on Saturday 16th March 09:08

Interesting. I like the sound of the car you've built and might copy a few of the mods. Now I just need to find a good used ST and sell the PP.

[Dale487]

Hub said:

Dale487 said:

bungle said:

This got me looking at the SEAT configurator. I hadn't realised that you can only buy these (Cupra ST, not the R specifically) in DSG now. No manual available. I had assumed that the manual was still available, but as FWD only.

Manuals really are a dying breed I think. I really am struggling to think of many manual estate performance cars these days that are available to buy new. The 2nd hand choice in a few years is going to be very poor indeed.

I struggled to find a manual estate 2 years ago (performance or otherwise), full stop. They're all automatics &/or diesels.

Focus ST estate - MK3 was only manual. Not sure about the forthcoming new one, but it will most probably still have a manual option.

Is the Octavia VRS dsg only now too then?

The boot on the Focus mk3 estate & back seat accommodation (for child seats) are significantly smaller than the Leon ST I bought, I could only find two manual Cupra STs at the time and the closest was 180miles away. And my wife stated the Octovia was too big.

[Bullitt Five-Oh]

simonbamg said:

PH small wheel alliance has piped up quickly today, you forgot to mention the thin sidewalls and shocking ride and that you would put a nice set of 16's on yours to look "sleeper"

Give these guys a try mate

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores

[DrEv1l]

Onehp said:

rob.e said:

bungle said:

I'm currently in the market for a fast wagon (albeit a manual, and therefore (unfortunately) not 4WD), and this has been on my radar for a while, but I've just not got round to test-driving one yet.

How do they cope with 300bhp through the front wheels? (or 290/280 depending on iteration).

Very well. It has a diff (electronic rather than mechanical but even so) works really well.

Good points made in the article. Agree it makes no sense at full retail but a slightly used example, FWD with manual, add some light wheels, sticky tires, good geo setup and better dampers, and a map and it'd be a great car ;-)

You basically described my car. Two comments: all FWD Cupras suffer from front wheel hop, I have an insert in the lower engine mount that reduces its severity. Also have new bushes and lower arms in front (Superpro Supaloy), stock ones are very mushy and make the car a bit floppy on the limit of grip, changing these really sharpened up the cars responses for me. Changing dampers -didn't feel the need, standard are DCC and are great IMHO (I used to change dampers on previous cars), shedding 5kg from each corner (18" Ultraleggeras for me) from the stock Cupra wheels helps a lot with the damping.

I'm not a Seat or VAG fanboy (my first actually), I was just looking for a family car with a big boot that was still interesting to drive for a driver enthusiast and thus doesn't weight 2 tons or more. Had it almost 3 years, very pleased esp after mods (big partbin to choose from). Bought new with mods it cost me about 32k. Mod list in 'my garage.'

Buying today, I would try this ST R as the front end sounds to be a lot better if it's anything like the 5D Cupra R / Clubsport S. And the 500 quid ABT remap with warranty does sound like a good deal. Perhaps one can haggle a bit from list as everybody wants the SUVs anyway...

Edited by Onehp on Wednesday 13th March 16:14

Lol min be is also almost identical. It has the big brake kit so i am still looking for 18s to fit over them. PS4S are great on it and it grips so well. I would add that the lower engine mount also helped the feel of the gear change. Also worth taking out the clutch flow inhibiter to smooth the clutch peddle action. I did it when fitting a new air box. It's an easy diy.

Wheel hop is always going to be there if you drive like a plonker full throttle out of junctions but the mods make it very controlled.

I would add that the clutch on the manual is not the strongest. I upped the power with a remap and found it slipped. Put a sachs one in and now it's 100% and a pleasure to drive whilst still doing over 40 to the gallon on motorway cruises.